Toronto Now - October 4, 2012

Firefighters are currently battling a four-alarm blaze in an abandoned house near Jarvis St. and Dundas St. W.

Located at 301A George St., the fire broke out just before 4:30 a.m. and escalated to three alarms within 10 minutes, Capt. David Eckerman said.

He added crews initially fought the fire from the inside, but as they now believe it might be grow op, they’re attacking it from the outside for safety reasons.

He said it’s dangerous for firefighters to be in the house right now because of illegal wiring, faulty floors, and toxic chemicals.

“[The fire has] come through the roof at the back so that would be one access point for water and whatnot,” he said. “With something like that eventually we have to go back in or we’ll never get it out.”

The fire is especially heavy on the second and third floors of the house. It’s unknown what caused the fire at this time, but Eckerman said typically with grow ops the breaker panel is bypassed, overloading the circuit.

No human injuries have been reported, but firefighters administered oxygen to a cat found in the house.

Neighbouring buildings have been evacuated and George St. is closed both ways between Dundas St. E and Gerrard St. E.

by edtbox10/4/2012 11:06:20 AM

Trains are holding southbound at Eglinton Stn due to a Passenger Assistance Alarm activated on a train. Expected to clear in 10 mins. #TTC

The driver’s had his licence suspended and his vehicle impounded for seven days.

Since January 1 the Toronto Police Service, through speed-enforcement measures, has issued 306 suspensions for speeding/stunt driving.

by edtbox10/4/2012 4:00:09 PM

Three men are facing 15 charges in relation to a firearm investigation.

Police chased down and arrested three men near Victoria Park Ave. and Sunrise Ave. on Wednesday after conducting a body search on two men for firearms.

It is alleged that one man fled on foot after an officer felt a firearm on his body. The second male attempted to distract the officers and also fled on foot. He was joined by a third man.

The first man was climbing through a fence when a heavy item, wrapped in a sock, fell from his jacket. One of the officers retrieved the object and determined it was a loaded .44 cal magnum revolver with five rounds of ammunition. The man then ran into O’Connor Community and Child Care Centre.

Police placed the community centre and a local school under lockdown to protect the children and public as officers entered the building and secured the perimeter.

Members of the Emergency Task Force and a K-9 unit arrived on the scene and arrested the man inside the centre

Police also arrested the second and third man in the area.

Alexander Owen Fountain, 21, of Toronto faces 21 charges including unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm despite knowing its possession is unauthorized and carrying a concealed weapon.

Harris Ewane Nnane, 20, of Richmond Hill has been charged with obstruction of a peace officer.

Fountain and Nnane were scheduled to appear in court on October 4.

Trevor Barnett, 20, of Toronto has been charged with possession of marijuana and is scheduled to appear in court on November 27

by edtbox10/4/2012 4:00:14 PM

502 Downtowner service is diverting both ways via Queen, Sumach, King, River, Queen and due to a construction on River at Queen. #TTC